Mike Westhoff’s career in the NFL spanned thirty-two seasons with Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints. He is considered to be the foremost expert on special teams in NFL.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said of Coach Westhoff, "We called Mike Westhoff the mad scientist. He changed the game."

Coach Westhoff was an innovator who was constantly figuring out new ways to develop players' individual skills and the schemes he put them in. All of it started though with him having to figure it out.

He joins us in part one of a two-part series to discuss his influences, what he learned over his career, how he developed his philosophies, and the detail he put into coaching the game.

-The influence of Don Shula

-The impact of his father and high school coach

-The opportunity of Frank Cush

-Seeing through the glasses of a coach

-The high bar set by Don Shula

-Learning the game

-How criticizing can ruin a player

-Finding a place in the game

-The role of the coach in making the game safe

-Changes in the rules - 22 plays a game down to 7

-The decrease in special teams plays in a game

-Building off a simple scheme

-Being creative

-Figuring out the philosophies of each unit

-Three parts to the game - Jimmy Johnson

-Figure out what you have

-Being aggressive and physical

-The fastest 12 minutes in football

-An exactness to everything

Twitter:

@STCoachMike

Link to book:

https://www.amazon.com/Figure-Out-Thirty-Two-Year-Revolutionizing-Footballs/dp/1637552718

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